2026 NFL Mock Draft

The Raiders are desperate for a quarterback, so they did whatever it took to obtain one. This included sitting their best player after he expressed a desire to beat his opponent.

Geno Smith was terrible last year, which may have surprised ESPN’s atrocious hires, one of whom said that Smith was a top-10 NFL quarterback when he was traded to Las Vegas. Smith was one of the worst starting quarterbacks in the NFL, so the Raiders will be drafting a new franchise signal-caller.

Fernando Mendoza has great size, arm strength, and accuracy. He was seen as raw entering the 2025 season, but he had a tremendous year. He will be the No. 1 pick in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft unless he gets abducted by aliens.

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The Jets obviously need a quarterback. Unfortunately for them, Dante Moore went back to school, so they’ll have to settle for an option via trade or free agency unless they fall in love with Ty Simpson.

New York will now use this selection on the best defensive player available. Help is needed everywhere on a stop unit ranked 29th in EPA. David Bailey was considered here in this mock draft, but Arvell Reese has the edge by a bit.

Reese is a special player because of his incredible instincts and athleticism.

The Cardinals ranked 28th in defense during the second half of the season, but their offensive line needs help. Paris Johnson is the only viable tackle they have under contract at the moment.

This is another pick in which David Bailey was considered, but Charlie Campbell reported that the Cardinals love Spencer Fano, so I’m going to slot the top tackle in this class to Arizona in this 2026 NFL Mock draft.

Francis Mauigoa has immense upside as a potential left tackle in the NFL. His brother was just drafted in the fifth round.

The Titans have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. They need to find the best defensive player possible. Of course, there’s a huge difference between “need” and “want,” so we’ll see if the two align. If not, the Titans could end up drafting a player to bolster their rushing attack.

Jeremiyah Love is a powerful, downhill runner with plus receiving ability.

The more I think about it, the more this selection has to be about helping Jaxson Dart, whether it’s in the form of a receiver, offensive lineman, or even a running back. With Jeremiyah Love off the board in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, the Giants can use this pick on one of the other two areas.

Jermaine Eluemunor was re-signed, but the Giants can still use this pick on someone like Spencer Fano. The Utah product can start at guard and then eventually move to right tackle once Eluemunor’s time with the Giants is done.

Spencer Fano was fantastic at Utah, but has short arms. He may move to guard or stay at left tackle.

Ty Simpson is not worthy of the sixth pick, but he will not be the choice in this mock draft. Ownership seems to like Shedeur Sanders, so they may want to give him one more year to prove himself. If so, the Browns could look to add the best player available, and that could be a prospect who would further enhance the pass rush. Then again, the Browns have done lots of work on receivers, and they brought in Carnell Tate for a top-30 visit. Jerry Jeudy has been a huge disappointment, so Cleveland needs a new No. 1 target for either Sanders or Deshaun Watson.

Carnell Tate didn’t do much as a freshman, but the tall receiver had a breakout sophomore campaign.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a fun story because he liked to be called Bill for some reason, but the Redskins need to make sure that Jayden Daniels can lean on a potent rushing attack so that he’s not taking too many hits. Jeremiyah Love makes sense for that reason, but he’s not available in this mock draft. Besides, Charlie Campbell reported that the Redskins prefer a pass rusher at No. 7. They signed three edge rushers this offseason, but two of them were inked to just 1-year contracts.

David Bailey is a fast edge rusher with great potential. I can’t imagine slotting Bailey later than No. 4 in this mock draft. He could end up going No. 2 or 3.

The Saints have nothing at receiver outside of Chris Olave, and they can’t exactly count on Olave remaining healthy. Drafting a receiver at No. 8 is a very real possibility. If the Saints are uncomfortable with Jordyn Tyson’s health, however, perhaps New Orleans will find a replacement for Demario Davis, which is exactly what’s happening in this mock draft.

Sonny Styles is a versatile linebacker who plays well in coverage. This is the highest he’s ever been in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft, but he had an amazing combine in which he broke records, and he’s now in the conversation to be the fifth-overall pick.

The Chiefs need to address a lot. One thing is their poor receiver group. Rashee Rice may be suspended or imprisoned based on his latest off-the-field transgressions. Kansas City will have nothing at receiver if Rice is gone, save for Xavier Worthy, who regressed last year. The offensive line can also be addressed. Jawaan Taylor is gone, and so the Chiefs need a new right tackle and also some interior help. And then there’s the pass rush; Kansas City really struggled to get to the quarterback last year. This mock draft will have the Chiefs find help with the latter.

Rueben Bain was very productive as a freshman and has a ton of upside.

The Bengals have severe issues throughout their defense, so taking the best player on that side of the ball makes sense. Defensive tackle is a particularly weak point on the team, but any talented defensive player would make sense for Cincinnati in this mock draft.

Peter Woods is a disruptive interior lineman.

The Dolphins have looked like the worst team in the NFL at times last year, and part of that is Tua Tagovailoa’s incompetence. Malik Willis was signed, so the Dolphins can now look elsewhere. Their receiver group is now barren with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle both gone. Theo Wease Jr. is now their top wideout, which simply can’t be allowed. Receiver will be addressed here in this mock draft.

Makai Lemon wins on contested catches even though he’s a bit shy of six feet. He interviewed very poorly at the combine, but he still has first-round talent.

Pick change; previously Caleb Downs, S

The Cowboys gave up 450 passing yards to Russell Wilson and then allowed Caleb Williams to have the best performance of his career. Dallas’ miserable defense needs help at every level. As with the Bengals, any defensive position makes sense for the Cowboys in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.

Mansoor Delane is very instinctive with nice size.

The Rams have been in the mix to trade for A.J. Brown. It doesn’t sound like they’ll be able to do so, which means receiver is in play for the Rams at No. 13 overall.

Jordyn Tyson is a speedy, explosive receiver with quality size. Injuries are an issue, however.

The Raiders appeared to acquire this pick for Maxx Crosby, but the trade was rescinded. They can now address their receiver group, which is rather lackluster outside of Zay Flowers. “Receiver group” can also include tight end, which saw Isaiah Likely depart. Mark Andrews remains, but he’s declined in recent years.

Kenyon Sadiq has upside as an athletic tight end.

Pick change; previously Makai Lemon, WR

The Buccaneers really need to improve their pass rush if they don’t want to be shredded by Michael Penix Jr. and Tyler Shough. Plenty of other defensive positions would make sense for the Buccaneers, including linebacker in the wake of Lavonte David’s retirement. That will be addressed in this mock draft.

C.J. Allen is a smart, tough, and instinctive linebacker.

This new pick for the Jets could be anything. It could even be Sauce Gardner. Or, perhaps a cornerback who might be nearly as good as Gardner was for the Jets. New York needs help at cornerback, but that’s true of all the other positions.

Jermod McCoy is an instinctive cornerback who tackles well, but is coming off a torn ACL. He’s healthy and good to go, by all accounts.